Phlox plant named ‘PPPHL0604’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phlox  cultivar named ‘PPPHL0604’ is disclosed, characterized by vigorous plant growth and early flowering, with blooms produced over a long period of time. Plants have a good resistance to powdery mildew and produce bright pink flowers. The new variety is a  Phlox , normally produced as an outdoor ornamental plant for containers or gardens.

Latin name of the genus and species: Phlox subulata×stolonifera.

Variety denomination: ‘PPPHL0604’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar was discovered as a result of a planned breeding program directed by the inventor, Ushio Sakazaki, a citizen of Japan. The seed parent is an unnamed, unpatented Phlox subulata and the pollen parent is an unnamed, unpatented variety of Phlox stolonifera. The cross resulting in ‘PPPHL0604’ was made Apr. 10, 2005. The new variety was discovered Sep. 15, 2006, by the inventor in a non-commercial nursery in Higashiomi Shiga, Japan.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘PPPHL0604’ by vegetative cuttings was first performed Sep. 20, 2006 at a non-commercial nursery in Higashiomi Shiga, Japan. Multiple generations have since been produced and have shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations. The new cultivar was first sold and made available to the public in April 2011.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘PPPHL0604’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘PPPHL0604’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘PPPHL0604’ as a new and distinct Phlox cultivar:

-   -   1. Vigorous growth habit, compared to existing Phlox subulata         varieties.     -   2. Early flowering.     -   3. Long flowering period.     -   4. Good resistance to powdery mildew.     -   5. Bright pink flowers.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘PPPHL0604’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, Phlox subulata, unnamed, in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘PPPHL0604’ produce flowers over a significantly longer period than the seed parent. Additionally, plants of the new variety are much more vigorous and produce larger flowers than the seed parent.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘PPPHL0604’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent Phlox stolonifera in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘PPPHL0604’ produce flowers over a significantly longer period than the pollen parent. Additionally, the new variety has smaller foliage than the pollen parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘PPPHL0604’ can be compared to the commercial variety Phlox subulata ‘Drummonds Pink’, unpatented. The two varieties are very similar in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of ‘PPPHL0604’ produce larger flowers, and flowers throughout Spring and Summer, whereas ‘Drummonds Pink’ flowers only during the Spring. Additionally, plants of ‘PPPHL0604’ are more mounding in growth habit compared to the flat, mat forming habit of ‘Drummonds Pink’. Plants of ‘PPPHL0604’ typically produce elongated peduncles, with the flowers plane above the foliage, whereas ‘Drummonds Pink’ has shorter peduncles, with flowers occurring directly on top of the foliage.

‘PPPHL0604’ can be compared to the commercial variety Phlox subulata ‘Red Wings’, unpatented. The two varieties are very similar in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of ‘PPPHL0604’ produce larger flowers, and flowers throughout Spring and Summer, whereas ‘Red Wings’ flowers only during the Spring. Additionally, plants of ‘PPPHL0604’ are more mounding growth habit compared to the flat, mat forming habit of ‘Red Wings’. Plants of ‘PPPHL0604’ typically produce elongated peduncles, with the flowers plane above the foliage, whereas ‘Red Wings’ has shorter peduncles, with flowers occurring directly on top of the foliage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a of typical plant of ‘PPPHL0604’ grown in a poly house, in Bonsall, Calif., in a commercial 10 inch container.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up view of flowers of ‘PPPHL0604’. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 28 weeks from a rooted cutting. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘PPPHL0604’ plants grown in a poly house, in Bonsall, Calif., in a commercial 10 inch container. The growing temperature ranged from 60° F. to 75° F. daytime and 50° F. to 60° F. at night. No chemical treatments were given. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

Botanical classification: Phlox subulata×stolonifera ‘PPPHL0604’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots during summer: Approximately 5 days at     temperatures between 17° C. and 29° C. -   Time to initiate roots during winter: Approximately 6 days at     temperatures between 17° C. and 21° C. -   Time to produce a rooted cutting: 33 to 35 days. -   Root description: Fine, fibrous, moderately dense rooting habit.

PLANT

-   Pot size of plant described: 25 cm diameter basket. -   Age of plant described: Approximately 25 Weeks. -   Growth habit: Mounding, spreading. -   Height:     -   -   To top of flowers.—Approximately 16 cm.         -   To top of foliage plane.—Approximately 15 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 45 cm. -   Growth rate: Rapid. -   Branching characteristics: Very well branched. -   Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 12 cm. -   Quantity of primary lateral branches: More than 50 per plant. -   Characteristics of primary lateral branches:     -   -   Form.—Round.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.2 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 143C.         -   Texture.—Densely pubescent. Hairs minute, less than 0.1 cm.         -   Strength.—Flexible, moderately strong. -   Internode length: Average between 1.0 cm to 2.0 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Quantity.—Approximately 10 per branch.         -   Average length.—Approximately 2.5 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 0.6 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Linear.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Blunt.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Pubescent.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Pubescent.         -   Aspect.—Very slightly recurved.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Young             foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137C. Mature foliage             upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side:             Near RHS Green 137C.         -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side:             Indistinguishable from foliage coloration. Venation color             under side: Indistinguishable from foliage coloration.         -   Petiole.—Sessile, petiole not present.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Spring through Summer. -   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Clustered cymes of     salverform flowers. 2 to 4 cymes, of 3 to 5 flowers. -   Rate of flower opening: 3 to 5 days from bud to fully opened flower. -   Flower longevity on plant: Approximately 7 to 10 days. -   Approximate quantity of flowers per plant: Approximately 80 to 100. -   Persistent or self-cleaning: Persistent. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Depth.—Approximately 7 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 10 cm. -   Individual cyme:     -   -   Depth.—Approximately 4.0 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 5.0 cm. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Cylindric.         -   Length.—Approximately 2.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.3 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 64B. -   Flower size:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 2.1 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 2.5 cm.         -   Flower tube length.—Approximately 1.9 cm.         -   Flower tube diameter at basal end.—Approximately 0.3 cm.         -   Flower tube diameter at distal end.—Approximately 0.4 cm. -   Petals:     -   -   Length from throat.—Approximately 1.2 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.0 cm.         -   Quantity.—5.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Apex.—Irregular obtuse lobes.         -   Margin.—Entire. -   Color:     -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 64B. Lower             surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 70B.         -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 61B, flush             near tube opening near Red-Purple 69D. Lower surface: Near             RHS Red-Purple 64C. Flower throat (inside): Near RHS White             N155B with streaks and spots near Purple 79A. Flower throat,             visible rim: Near RHS Red-Purple 69C. Flower tube (outside):             Near RHS Red-Purple 70B.         -   Fading.—Petals fading to: Upper Surface: Near RHS Red-Purple             76A, flush near tube opening near White N155C. Lower             Surface: Near RHS Purple 77B. -   Calyx/sepals:     -   -   Quantity per flower.—5.         -   Shape.—30% fused together, linear shape.         -   Length.—Approximately 0.9 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 0.2 cm.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Fused.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Pubescent.         -   Color.—Upper Surface: Near RHS Green 137A. Lower Surface:             Near RHS Green 137A. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—Average 1.8 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average 0.2 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 143C.         -   Texture.—Pubescent.         -   Orientation.—Approximately 15° angle from stem, somewhat             undulating. -   Pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 0.3 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.1 cm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green             144B, slightly flushed Greyed-Purple 187B.         -   Texture.—Pubescent.         -   Orientation.—Approximately 15° angle from peduncle,             straight. -   Fragrance: Musty.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—5.         -   Filament length.—Fused to petals, unfused portion 0.1 cm. -   Anthers:     -   -   Length.—0.1 cm.         -   Shape.—Linear.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Orange 17A.         -   Pollen.—Color: Near RHS Yellow-Orange 17A. Quantity: Scant. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—1.         -   Length.—1.4 cm.         -   Style.—Length: 1.3 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 69D.         -   Stigma.—Shape: forked. Color: Near RHS Greyed-Orange 166A.             Ovary Color: Near RHS Green 143B.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date. -   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to powdery mildew has been     observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to least −1° C. without damage.     Upper temperature tolerance to at least 30° C. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Phlox plant named ‘PPPHL0604’ as herein illustrated and described. 